Interview with Derric Gobourne Jr.

My name is Derric Gobourne Jr. I’m an 18 year old New Jack Swing artist. Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. I started dancing at the age of 5 after watching Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. I started performing in the community as a Michael Jackson impersonator. In second grade I started writing songs and by the age of 10 I knew I wanted to be a entertainer. I would write and record songs as much as I could as well as studying everything I could about performing and music. I started performing at the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe at 13 as Little Stevie Wonder in “The Best of Stevie Wonder”. There I met my mentors Nate Jacobs and Donald Frison. Around the same time I started working on my first project I would release called “Vinyl”.

Tention Free : We’ve been hearing a lot about you, so we notice your starting to gain a lot of attention how does it feel?

I’m very humbled and appreciative. I work VERY hard in everything I do so it’s nice to be recognized. To God be the glory.

Tention Free : Tell us more about “From the Outside”

It’s an track from an unreleased Bobby Brown album from 1991. I’ve known about it forever. But something, I don’t know what just lead me to cover it. The song to me, is about people on the outside thinking they know you, when in all honesty they know nothing about you. Something I deal with alot.

Tention Free : What motivates you to do your best work as a New Jack Swing Artist ?

Wanting to be the best. Everybody’s always arguing about who’s the best artist in the city. I’m worried about the person’s who number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. How can I be better than them?

Tention Free : What kind of response you have received from your album, ?

I don’t think people knew how to respond. It was the first project I released to the public. To me to it was great music with poor quality. I had no vocal coaching. I did it all by myself in my room on my phone. Nobody knew I made music. Nobody knew if I was serious or not. Most of the comments I did get from people was how amazing of a songwriter I was. They were shocked. They didn’t know I had that talent.

Tention Free : If you could perform anywhere, in the world, where would it have to be?

I’ve actually wrote this on a napkin and framed it. I hope to sellout Wembley Stadium one day.

Tention Free : Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to be a professional dancer ?

Just go for it. I would also say to keep in mind, that relationships are very big in the business. The universes uses people to make you successful. So just be mindful of that.

Tention Free : Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?

I wouldn’t say I have free time. Because I’m constantly working. If I’m not at theater, I’m in the studio, if I’m not in the studio, I’m writing, if I’m not writing, I’m making a beat, if I’m not making a beat I’m studying. So I’m always going. The machine never stops.

Tention Free : Are you active on social media? what’s the best way to follow you ?